Legislation requiring persons to show proof of citizenship in order to apply for public benefits in Pennsylvania has been bottled up in the House State Government Committee. Rep. Rick Geist (R-Altoona) announced today he is joining in a discharge resolution effort to get action on the bill.

“For more than a year, this reasonable legislation has been held hostage in the State Government Committee without action, and this is unconscionable,” said Geist. “There is no logical reason for this process to be held up by a handful of people, and today, I am joining with a number of my colleagues in sponsoring a resolution to discharge the bill from that committee in order to get it considered by the full House.”

House Bill 1359 requires any person who applies for public benefits to provide identification and documentation proving that he or she is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States. A similar bill, Senate Bill 9, was passed in that chamber on April 1, 2009, and is also stalled in the House State Government Committee.

“Given the level of fraud and abuse that we have seen in some areas of government, this simple requirement is necessary to see to it that public benefits go to those who truly deserve them,” said Geist. “Following the law is a basic American and Pennsylvania value, and public money should not go to those who openly break the law.”

Public benefits that are covered by this legislation include unemployment benefits, public housing and housing assistance; grants contracts and loans administered by the Commonwealth and local entities; health, food and welfare benefits; and grants, contracts and loans administered by a Commonwealth or local agency.

Rep. Richard A. Geist
79th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(814) 946-7218
(717) 787-6419

Contact:  Raymond Smith

House Republican Public Relations

rsmith@pahousegop.com

(717) 705-1834

Member site: RickGeist.com

www.pahousegop.com